They were still praying, trusting, and hoping. Why? Because they knew who was with them and who was for them: the risen Christ.

The end of the Easter season is a good time to remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit kindly stops by because the Messiah has triumphed over the Murderer.

The earlier Christians, like us, experienced the struggle, but they knew how the fact of Jesus coming back from three days in the tomb meant every day of their life on this earth was a day framed and governed by His claim on life for His people.

Three Lenten songs express the same astonishing wonder of a Lord who willingly suffers and dies.

Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember another “forgotten” hymn writer and theologian: Denmark’s Birgitte Boye.

Today on the Christian History Almanac, we remember the man who is likely the most prolific and popular Christian songwriters in the English language with a special connection to the season.

Luther understood that music is an exceptional teaching tool.

Strasbourg’s hymnals are especially relevant to American Lutherans because much of what we experience in our churches comes to us from Strasbourg.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of these early Lutheran hymns – and their physical availability in hymnals – in the piety of common people living in Lutheran towns and territories.

Today on the Christian History Almanac, celebrate Christmas Day with the story of a popular Christmas hymn.

The God Who Stole Christmas. In this episode of Banned Books, we discuss Christmas Eve and Christmas Day readings, prayers, hymns, and traditions. We also have a lot of fun jesting and critiquing time-held hymns and traditions. We talk translations, history, worship, and why Christmas is the best time to embrace the enchanting absurdity of Jesus — the God-in-the-flesh, who’s come to be a Light in the darkness, a shield against sin, the world and the devil, and the Door opened and welcoming us into eternal life.

Today on the Christian History Almanac, we have a bonus Christmas mailbag with pickles, cherries, and an ancient hymn!